Open-ended multiple wrench holder



April 12, 1949. H. w. ENGLISH 1- AL 2,466,884

OPEN ENDED MULTIPLE WRENCH HOLDER Filed Dec. 4, 1945 MLL N GG R NEE @v Patented Apr. 12, 1949 UNITED sTATEs OFFICE OPEN -ENDED MULTIPLE WRENCH HOLDER Harvey W. English and Milton W. English, Lewiston, Idaho Application December 4, 1945, Serial N0. 632,639

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to an open ended multiple wrench holder, and more particularly to a holding device adapted to contain a plurality of end wrenches of different sizes, and from which the wrenches may be readily and easily extended for use.

A primary object of the invention is the provision of such a device characterized by a tubular form holder, within which a plurality of wrenches are adapted to be positioned, and provided with means whereby the wrenches may be readily extended therefrom and secured in operative position with respect thereto, when desired, or retracted thereinto to form a relatively compact carrying unit.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a dispensing unit characterized by a plurality of detents adapted to hold any one of the desired number of wrenches in extended or retracted position as may be desired.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawing wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perpective view showing one form of device embodying features of the instant invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of Figure 1, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, partially broken away, disclosing a portion of the device of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Referring now particularly to the drawings, the device of the instant invention is comprised of a tubular sheath generally indicated at l 0, and having a plurality of interiorly positioned, longitudinally extending ridges I l on opposite side walls therein dividing the same into opposed channels l2, (see Fig. 4). The ridges H define compartments for a plurality of wrenches l3, l4, l5, l6, l1 and [8, each of the wrenches terminating in a rectangular shank portion [9, and each being of a length to extend substantially half the distance of the tubular member in such manner that when the wrenches are forced inwardly, as best shown in Figure 2, the ends of the shanks N are in abutting relation.

As best shown in Figure 3, the squared side edges of the shanks I9 of each of the wrenches is provided with upper and lower recesses or apertures 20, adapted to be engaged by ball detents 2!, spring pressed, as by means of springs 22 in apertures 23 in the sheath l0, and held in position, as by threaded screws 24. It will be seen that there is provided a plurality of aligned ball detents extending transversely across the sheath [0, as indicated at 24 in Figure 4, adjacent the midpoint of the sheath Ill. The detents indicated by 24 are adapted to hold the wrench portion in retracted relation by engaging with the recesses 20, when the wrenches are in fully retracted position.

Similar detent members 24a are provided adjacent the extremities of the wrench sheath [0, and by engagement with the recesses 20 are adapted to hold a selected wrench or wrenches in extended position.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided a wrench dispensing device characterized by the retention of a plurality of wrenches of different sizes, wherein any desired wrench may be readily extended for use and held in position by means of its associated detent 24a, and wherein correspondingly associated wrenches not desired for immediate use may be held in retracted position by means of the detents 24.

Thus, there will be seen that there is herein provided an improved wrench dispensing device accomplishing all the objects of this invention and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

A multiple wrench holder, comprising a tubular sheath open at each end, a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel channels formed in said sheath, each channel being of a length to accommodate two end wrenches with their grip ends in abutting relation and with the heads thereof extending outwardly of said sheath, said wrenches each being separately slidable in its channel into and out of retracted and extended positions relative to said sheath, a series of opposed pairs of spring-loaded detents carried by said sheath, each pair of detents being engageable with a pair of recesses in the longitudinal edges REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

5 Number Name Date Woodrufi Sept. 12, 1905 Wahlstrom June 13, 1911 Lukowski Mar. 3, 1914 

